Flush Your Car System
Whenever air conditioner parts are being replaced on your vehicle, the term “AC system flush” may be mentioned, either in terms of standard industry practices or at the repair shop you are taking your vehicle to. You must know about the importance of performing this function. This article will answer all your questions, “Why?” and “What do you have to do for the job done?”
What Is a Car AC System Flush?
A/C system flush is a vital process to do to ensure that your car air conditioning system is clean from any debris and contaminants. Any dirt or other foreign objects in the AC system could cause blockages and might prevent the compressor from functioning efficiently. Even the smaller amount of dirt in the system leads to restricts the flow of refrigerant and oil.
To keep moving parts of your vehicle lubricated and prevent failure, your engine requires oil. As with the engine, the only moving component in the air conditioning system, the compressor, also requires oil to function.
The refrigerant moves through the system with the oil, which is in direct contact with the condenser, accumulator, hoses, evaporator, and tubes. In case any debris or any other object particles enter the AC system, then all components are at high risk for damage. By flushing the AC, the contamination is removed and the important parts are protected.
It is recommended that you have the AC system flushed if the system is contaminated or whenever the air conditioner compressor is removed or replaced.
Also, get the idea from this blog – How to Clean Your Car Interior?
Why AC Systems Need Flushing?
AC systems are closed, self-contained systems composed of two main components – refrigerant, which gives the system its cooling properties, and oil, which helps lubricate the system’s compressor, the only moving component. When an air conditioner is opened to the atmosphere, there is a high probability that contaminants will enter the system. Components like the AC compressor sometimes fail, and contaminants are ejected into the system as a result.
In a system that has contaminants, those contaminants will recirculate, and it’s only a matter of time before they damage even more components, like an AC compressor that’s just been installed. If a newly installed compressor gets damaged, then the high possibility is because of the contaminants in the system.
When Would The AC Systems Need Flushing?
The time your car AC compressor has been failed, an AC system flush should always operate. Any time the system gets opened, a flush should be performed. In the case of a system that has sat idle and without fuel for a long time (like a project car), the entire system should be flushed before it can be recharged. Moreover, a flushing tool will be used to blast out the evaporator and condenser, and then each AC line will be cleaned.
As soon as the system has been flushed, the hoses are reconnected, along with a new receiver drier or accumulator. The important thing to note is that any time the AC system is opened, the receiver drier or accumulator would be always changed.
How To Flush Your Car’s AC System?
To properly flush your car Ac’s system, follow these steps:
1. Setting Things Up
When an AC flush is performed, the car is usually parked, and the AC system is opened, usually by cutting the lines at the compressor. You need to remove the receiver drier / accumulator and all the AC lines going to the evaporator and condenser.
2. Start With The Evaporator
You should flush the evaporator first since it is the fitting that leads into the firewall. The heater hose can be slipped over one of the threaded fittings, then the hose can be fed into your bucket.
Once you’ve completed this step, blast the flush solution into the other hose inlet using your flushing tool. After these steps, the air and flush solution will drain out and into the bucket, along with any contaminants.
3. The Condenser
Afterwards, proceed to the condenser, repeating the same procedure by attaching the hose to the lower fitting of the condenser and squirting the cleansing solution through the condenser.
4. The AC Hoses
The next step is to take the each removable AC hose and put the one end of hose in the bucket. The hose should be blasted with a flush solution. It is important to remove the accumulator / receiver drier from the hose if it is attached at the point as it will be replaced. Most hoses come with a built-in accumulator and drier. It would be necessary to replace the hose in this case.
5. Reattach The Hoses
When everything has been flushed, replace the o-rings on the hoses and install the compressor once all the hoses are reattached.
6. Check Your Work
To check for any leaks, and to remove all atmospheric air from the system, the system should be placed under vacuum at this time. After that, refuel the air conditioning system with the appropriate amount of oil and refrigerant.
Conclusion
In any case, flushing the AC system of your car is not a step that should be overlooked, especially when servicing the AC compressor. For an AC system to function properly, it must be free of contaminants, and it must be fully filled with oil and refrigerant only. Failure of either can lead to the compressor and the whole system shutting down.
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